C47A 42-93038 Plaque
Details:
A memorial plaque is fixed to the small rockface just to the right of center. The plaque is about 7 feet up and you need to look away from the sea to see it.
A rectangular metal plaque, inscribed in English text with black lettering, which commemorates the men who were killed in a plane crash. The plaque was unveiled with due ceremony on 27th July 1999. Around the plaque are various pieces of aircraft wreckage, some mortared in place. There is also a related memorial at Portpatrick Lifeboat Station.
Two C-47A Douglas aircraft were transporting wounded U.S. soldiers back home. Visibility was poor and 42-93038 was flying at low altitude so the following plane could keep it in sight. As the Dakota approached the Mull of Galloway, the pilot tried to gain altitude to clear the cliffs. The airplane did not make it and collided with a cliff rising to more than 400 ft (120 m) just below the crest.
The aircraft involved was a USAF Douglas C-47A (known as Dakota in UK service) serial 42-93038 based at Merryfield, Somerset and was heading for Prestwick.
The 22 persons aboard the aircraft:
Galen R. Hendricks | 1st Lieutenant | Pilot | Killed |
Raymond Hutchings | 2nd Lieutenant | Co-pilot | Killed |
Dan Willard Meshew | Flight Officer | 3rd Pilot | Killed |
Leon Julius Tully | 2nd Lieutenant | Navigator | Killed |
Jay V Alcorn | Sergeant | Radio Operator | Killed |
Merl William Skinner | Staff Sergeant | Crew Chief | Killed |
Irving I. Shure | Major US Army | Attending Physician | Killed |
Mary Edith Jackley | 2nd Lieutenant | Nurse | Killed |
John Henry Salmi | T/3 | Medical Attendant | Killed |
John Wilbur Ingram | 2nd Lieutenant US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Theron S. Ward | 2nd Lieutenant US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Ernest Howard Corvin | Sergeant US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Billy G. Morris | Sergeant US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Elmer F. Lauf | Corporal US Army | Passenger | Killed |
James D. Green | Private First Class US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Keith Glenn Lowdermilk | Private First Class US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Marcus Saspochnikoff | Private First Class US Army | Passenger | Killed |
James E. W. Ayers | Private US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Edmund Leroy Davis | Private US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Donald R. Hammerstrom | Private US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Jack F. Sheidler | Private US Army | Passenger | Killed |
Samuel Gilmour | Leading Aircraftman RAFVR | Passenger | Killed |
There was only one British victim, LAC Samuel Gilmour who had obtained a lift on the plane.
Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com, https://aviation-safety.net
Source of images: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com, http://www.wtdwhd.co.uk
Monument Text:
NEAR THIS SPOT ON 27TH JULY 1944
A U.S.A.F. C47 AIRCRAFT
CARRYING WOUNDED SERVICEMEN FROM NORMANDY
CRASHED INTO THE CLIFF. ALL 22 PERSONS
ON BOARD PERISHED
LEST WE FORGET
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
301st Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st Troop Carrier Group
441st Troop Carrier Group
9th Air Force
United States Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
